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President Donald Trump appeared on Pat McAfee’s daily ESPN show on Tuesday, and of course, not everyone was happy.
Days after McAfee himself broke the news that Trump would attend the Washington Commanders-Detroit Lions game, the president called into his show, which aired live from Parris Island in honor of Veterans Day.
Trump talked about those who fought for our country, the government shutdown, college football and the NFL kickoff (which he hates) in an appearance that lasted about 20 minutes.
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Pat McAfee defended his decision to have President Donald Trump on his show Tuesday afternoon. (Gilbert Flores, Win McNamee/Getty Images)
The show was broadcast live on YouTube, with many comments showing vitriol against the president as well as McAfee for having him on. But after Trump hung up, McAfee defended his decision.
“However, I want to say to the immediate people who are mad that it’s happening, it’s the president of the United States. It’s Veterans Day. He’s the commander in chief. Obviously, if we have an opportunity to talk to him, we will. And he’s funny.”
Pat McAfee during the ESPYs at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, California on July 16, 2025. (Frank Micelotta/Disney via Getty Images)
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McAfee also said that he and the show had reached out to former President Barack Obama after Trump became an opportunity to be interviewed, but Obama was unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts.
The appearance on the show marks the latest in what has been a sports-filled presidency. Trump attended the Lions’ victory on Sunday just outside the nation’s capital. It was his first sporting event since competing in the Ryder Cup in September. That month he also attended the men’s US Open final and a New York Yankees game, which took place 24 years to the day after the September 11 attacks.
President Donald Trump shakes hands with New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge in the locker room before a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers. The game took place in New York, New York on September 11, 2025. (Doug Mills//The New York Times via AP, Pool)
The Commanders-Lions game was his first NFL game of the season. He also attended Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, won by the Philadelphia Eagles, and has been to numerous UFC events. He also participated in the FIFA Club World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium.
